Educator Guide
This will provide an overview of the available resources and how to use them together to support your classroom learning.
National Child Day Educator Toolkit
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Bring children’s rights into your classroom this National Child Day
Every year on November 20, National Child Day recognizes Canada’s commitment to upholding children’s rights and marks the adoption of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child. To help bring this important learning into the classroom, UNICEF Canada, with support from the Manitoba Council for International Cooperation (MCIC), has developed the National Child Day Educator Toolkit. This collection of ready-to-use resources introduces students to children’s rights, connects those rights to global examples through videos and stories, and supports meaningful classroom discussions across grade levels.
Designed and adapted with lessons for Kindergarten to Grade 12, the Toolkit gives educators flexible resources to spark curiosity, encourage discussion and bring children’s rights to life in the classroom.
Educator Support Materials
Start here to learn more about the Toolkit and find the resources you need to prepare your lessons, introduce key concepts and guide classroom discussions.
Activity Guides and Resources
To ensure a shared starting point before exploring the Country Packs, use this activity to help students explore the difference between rights, needs and wants.
Needs, Rights and Wants
For children in early years settings and/or those more confident with simpler concepts. (Kindergarten to Grade 3)
Needs, Rights and Wants
For children and young people who have a good level of comprehension and reflection ability. (Grade 4 to Grade 8)
Needs, Rights and Wants
For young people who have the confidence and maturity to explore more challenging themes, concepts and ideas. (Grade 9 to Grade 12)
Wants and Needs Handout #1
Use this handout alongside the Two Star Needs, Rights and Wants Activity Guide to help students sort and discuss the difference between wants and needs.
Wants and Needs Handout #2
Use this handout alongside the Three Star Needs, Rights and Wants Activity Guide to help students explore and reflect on the difference between wants and needs.
Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC)
This poster explains each article of the Convention on the Rights of the Child in child-friendly language, helping students see that every child under 18 has rights that help them survive, thrive and reach their full potential.
Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC)
This version of the Convention on the Rights of the Child explains every article in more detail, helping students explore their rights, how these rights are connected, and the responsibilities governments have to protect them.
Country Packs
Bring children’s rights to life through real-world examples of UNICEF’s work around the world. Each Country Pack includes a PowerPoint presentation that explores children’s rights in a specific country and connects these rights to children’s everyday experiences.
Download a Country Pack below and use the full presentation as a complete lesson, or choose the slides that best suit your students’ interests, grade level and learning goals.
